Eight joyful designer garden gnomes

Eight joyful designer garden gnomes. ‘Gnome Ceramic’ vases by Elio Fiorucci – Photo by Love Therapy.

Design. “I always wanted to write a post on designer garden gnomes, not because I am a quite short lady. You can call them sweet or kitsch. Some hate them, some love them. There’s also an international Liberation Front committed to freeing them into forests. These tongue-in-cheek creatures are actually quite ancient: their ancestors thrived in the Roman Empire’s gardens and have become magical from medieval times until today. Philippe Stark and Elio Fiorucci consecrated them as pop design icons.”

RELATED STORIES: Discover more playful architecture and design on Archipanic.

‘Attila’ by Philippe Starck for Kartell – Photo by Kartell.

Attila is a garden gnome-shaped stool and side table designed by Philippe Starck for Kartell. A cheeky companion and a true design icon made of varnished technopolymer. The Napoleon version comes in total-black or gold. Attila is completed with Saint-Esprit, a log-shaped side table.

‘Baddy’ by Elio Fiorucci – Photo by Love Therapy.

Fashion designer Elio Fiorucci was fond of garden gnomes. His Love Therapy creative brand, which he created in collaboration with Rice, comprises happy and colourful designs, including glossy Gnome ceramic vases, the Rainbow Gnomes tin lunch box, and Baddy, a vibrant crew made of resin crew.

Elio Fiorucci also designed Nano, Dwarf in Italian, for Riva 1920. The cute sculpture is carved from a single block of cedar wood.

‘Nano’ by Elio Fiorucci for Riva1920 – Photo by Riva 1920.

The Gummy LED lamp, designed by fictional designer Uto Balmoral for Seletti, is the eight of the seven dwarves from Disney’s Snow White. The cheeky gnome is made of resin and blows a dimmable bubble gum.

‘Gummy’ LED lamp by Uto Balmoral for Seletti – Photo by Seletti.

Meet Nino, the quirky fella by Pellegrino Cucciniello for Plato Design. Digitally developed from cement-made geometric abstractions, the gnome is happy in the garden and proudly makes its way to the lounge and the living room.

Photo via IG by @plato_design.

MoroniGomma‘s Doiy is a garden gnome-shaped bottle opener. Its ergonomic design makes it easy to use and is available in gold or Ferrari red lacquered zinc. Standing proudly on the table during Christmas dinner parties, he’s the right gnome at the right time.

‘Doiy’ bottle-opener – Photo by MoroniGomma.

Naughty Martin is a sweet little rascal in a striped T-shirt and with a mischievious expression. Bengraphiste created this cute terracotta character for the French fashion and lifestyle brand Martin Le Coquin. It is 100% handcrafted and decorated.

‘Naughty Martin’ by Bengraphiste for Martin Le Coquin – Photo by Martin Le Coquin.

The sweetest creature in this selection comes from Belgium and is made of milk or dark chocolate with details in white chocolate. Pralines masters at Marioca created a delicious garden gnome playing the accordion—guilty pleasure at the nth degree.